Silversea Luxury Cruises À GUSTAVIA (St. Barthelemy)

You can easily explore all of Gustavia during a two-hour stroll. Some shops close from noon to 3 or 4, so plan lunch accordingly, but stores stay open past 7 in the evening. Parking in Gustavia is a challenge, especially during vacation times. A good spot to park is rue de la République, alongside the catamarans, yachts, and sailboats.

An Introduction to Silversea Cruises

The romance of the seas, small ship sizes and intimate atmosphere, Silversea has long been a leader in the ultra-luxury market. Travelling to both iconic and secluded ports, Silversea’s award-winning itineraries inspire wanderlust and exploration. With over 900 destinations, longer port stays and more late-night departures than ever before, even the savviest traveler will find something new. A butler for every suite, a complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences, all-inclusive exquisite dining, award-winning onboard entertainment and an unparalleled space to guest ratio all contribute to the Silversea experience. Not forgetting our famed Italian hospitality, where new faces become old friends. Bienvenuti a bordo.

Excursions depuis GUSTAVIA (St. Barthelemy)

After tendering ashore, a short taxi ride will take you to meet your instructor. Guests will be given safety instructions and itinerary briefing. After being fitted with a mandatory helmet, board your ATV and follow the guide - in an organized convoy - north along the leeward coast travelling on the island's main road (no off-road riding included in this tour).

Continue to St. Jean via the famous Col de la Tourente and head up Morne Tourtertelle, overlooking the Salines beach area. En route, your guide explains about the areas salt ponds and the island's salt industry, which served as St. Barts primary industry until the mid-1950's. Proceed along the windward side of the island, savouring the dramatic views of Grand Fond, dominated by the Atlantic Ocean and 938-foot (280-metre)-high Morne Vitet. In Toiny, leave the main road and take the narrow path to Petit Cul de Sac Beach.

Morne Vitet, Villages of Mariot and Lorient

A steep climb brings you to the villages of Mariot and Lorient with magnificent panoramas of the countryside. The ATV tour will end in town, from here take a leisurely stroll around the the harbour to return to the ship, alternatively continue your exploration with a walk to Shell Beach, or explore the local shops.

The picturesque beauty and history of St. Barths are yours to discover during this panoramic, half-day sightseeing excursion.

Gustavia, Lighthouse, Airport

Depart the pier for a scenic sightseeing drive through Gustavia en route to an exterior photo stop at the Lighthouse. Upon arrival, receive a brief introduction about the history of the island and construction of Gustavia. Re-board your coach and head to a vantage point near the airport; if possible, see a plane landing.

Your tour continues with a drive to Saline. Upon arrival, see the salt ponds and learn about their importance in the evolution of the island's economy. Leaving Saline, re-board your coach and drive to Grand Fond, where the vantage-point offers views of the Atlantic Ocean. Next, proceed for photo stops at Grand Cul de Sac, a large lagoon lined with luxury hotels, Pointe Milou and the Colombier Viewpoint, which offer idyllic views over Colombier Bay and Flamands Beach.

A final stop is made at the Domaine de Felicité Museum, which features authentic little St. Barths houses that showcase the history and local life on the island. The houses are surrounded by a beautiful Botanical Garden, where you can view virtually all of the plants that grow naturally on the island. A refreshment and comfort stop are also provided at the museum. Following your visit, re-board your coach and commence the short drive back to the pier.

Enjoy a panoramic ride around this tiny island and discover the many hidden beauties for which St. Barts has become famous.

Gustavia, Le Col de la Tourmente, St. Jean Beach, Salines

Minibus 'taxis' with drivers who speak varying degrees of English with a heavy French-West-Indian accent, take you on a drive through St. Barts. The first stop, at Le Col de la Tourmente, overlooks the most popular beach, St. Jean Beach and the island's airport. The taxis then follow take the road to Salines (salt ponds), an industrial area of the island. At one time St. Barts exported salt all over the Caribbean.

Grand Pond, Petit and Grand Cul de Sacs, Marigot, La Cave

After your visit to Salines, your driver will go through Petite Salines, the only place on the island where you cannot see the ocean, and continue to Grand Fond. The view is breathtaking, with the road overlooking the green valley and the raging ocean breaking on the shoreline. It can be very windy, and the landscape varies from the rest of the island. Only a few years ago, Grand Fond was the cattle center for St. Barts, home not only to many cows, but also goats and sheep.

L'Orient, La Vigie,Coupe

Continue on the road along the coast to view the house that belonged to the famous Russian dancer, Rudolf Nureyev. It is located right on the rocks facing the ocean. Pass Petit-Cul de Sac (small salt pond) and Grand Cul de Sac with its large lagoon and many hotels and resorts. It is here that the 24-hour windsurf regatta is held in August each year. Continue to Marigot, famous for its wine shop, La Cave, that has in stock over 300,000 bottles of wine, ranging from the cheapest to the most rare and expensive. Then continue to L'Orient and its two flower-filled cemeteries.

Passing La Vigie and Coupe Gorge, your vehicles return to the St. Jean area before taking the road to Corossol, once famous for its women who wore traditional white bonnets and were known for weaving straw hats and baskets. Please note that this does not exist anymore, despite what is written in the guidebooks. After climbing the last hill, your taxi returns to Gustavia. Depending on traffic conditions, the taxis will either stop in the parking lot next to the pier or in town at the main taxi station.

Discover St. Barts by sea as you sail aboard an island catamaran that whisks you away to a secluded bay on this scenic, relaxing outing.

Walk along the pier to your awaiting catamaran and climb aboard. As you motor out of the harbour, admire the resident mega yachts and the scenic coastline, before raising the sails. Head towards Pointe de Colombier and its shelter bay and drop anchor upon arrival. You can swim, sunbathe or just relax with a good book under the shade of the bimini. The time is yours to enjoy the splendid scenery. Enjoy a cool drink as the friendly crew offer water, soft drinks, and rum punch.

At the appointed time, the catamaran re-traces its course back to the harbour in Gustavia.

Enjoy the presence of Silversea's Chairman Ambassador to the Venetian Society, Fernando Barroso de Oliveira and join him during this exclusive excursion.

Take the plunge and scuba in St, Barths. This little paradise is part of the French West Indies and deserves to be known by divers. In fact, for a number of years, St. Barths has had a Marine Reserve where all forms of fishing are prohibited.

Anchoring on the coral reefs is also prohibited, resulting in a spectacular underwater world. An exceptional variety of sea life flourishes in this part of Caribbean. From the smallest colorful reef fish to bigger predators such a nurse sharks, tarpons, and barracudas, all these fishes are friendly; in St-Barth you dive in total safety. Scuba diving in St Barths is for everybody with numerous dive spots (22 different dives in The Marine Reserve alone) from 20 to 99 feet deep; coral reefs, caves, canyons - all in 82/84°F crystal clear water.

Whether you are planning to make your first Caribbean dive or are an experienced diver, St. Barths is an ideal location for diving. The island is situated on a coral plate and the maximum depth available is approximately 90 feet. The dive spots are no more than 5 to 20 minutes from the harbour of Gustavia. There are reefs, caves, canyons and wrecks in the area. Sea turtles, rays, eels, tarpon fish, and baby nurse sharks are very common. The coral is colorful and everything in the water is friendly. In the winter there are whales that you may hear singing. In the summer you may occasionally see dolphins.

Depart the pier in your catamaran and head out to the chosen dive site for the day (selected based on water conditions and experience level of divers on board). On the way to the dive site, you are provided with all your equipment and a thorough pre-dive Briefing. Upon arrival at the site, make your giant stride into the crystal clear waters and meet the friendly marine life that flourishes beneath the surface. Upon completion of the dive, re-board the boat and make the trip back to the tender pier.

Please note: This tour is for certified divers only and requires an extensive amount of activity and is for guests in good physical condition and able to successfully complete a PADI medical questionnaire and liability release. Guests must have been diving within the last year; please bring your dive log. You must present your certification card to participate and be able to complete a required medical questionnaire and liability waiver. You may wish to bring your own mask and snorkel. The actual dive site will be determined by the captain/dive master based on weather and sea conditions. The dive profile will be determined by the dive master. Certified divers who have not dived in 2 years will not be able to participate in this programme. Participants should wear a swimsuit under a cover-up, sun protection and bring a towel from the ship. This is a 1 tank dive. This tour might not be exclusive to Silversea guests and departure time is subject to change. For 2 tank dive please contact shoreconcierge@silversea.com or see the Shore Concierge Desk team onboard.

Explore the underwater world surrounding St. Barts from the comfort of a semi-submersible boat. The boat remains on the water's surface, while stairs lead you down into the hull, surrounded with glass viewing windows. Take in the scenes without getting wet on this under-the-sea adventure.

Gustavia's harbour, St Barts Marine Park

Walk from the pier to the awaiting semi-submersible submarine and gather on the main deck for a safety briefing. Cruising out of the main harbour, remain top-side or descend into the hull of the sub. As you reach the entrance of Gustavia's harbour, you may see some of the many green turtles known to reside in the area. Pass over the wreck of the 50-feet (15-metre) island freighter Marignan, sunk during the famous hurricane 'Luis' in 1995. On the way to your next stop, the vessel crosses the south-east edge of the St. Barts Marine Park, where the sea is full of colourful coral reefs, gently 'invaded' by troops of striped 'sergeant major' fish.

Returning to the pier along the same route, you can remain below or if you prefer, cruise on the upper deck and watch the beautiful anchored yachts and shores of St. Barts.

Board the catamaran at the pier and depart to your snorkelling destination. For your comfort, the catamaran offers plenty of shade and enroute, the crew will distribute snorkelling equipment. Once you arrive at the snorkelling site, designated crew will provide instructions and guidelines, after which you may proceed to enjoy approximately one hour exploring the fascinating underwater marine life.

Colourful Reefs, Coral and Fish

The azure waters surrounding St. Barts provide the perfect environment for a variety of exquisitely coloured fish and corals. Coral reefs act as home and nursery for thousands of fish and other species, and are host to some of the Earth's most diverse living ecosystems.

Back on board the catamaran, enjoy a snack and refreshment before your return to the pier.

Embark a comfortable, approximately 45-foot (about 13.7) sailing catamaran at the pier, receive your safety instructions, and meet your attentive and helpful crew. Next, depart the port area, under sails. Enjoy peaceful and quiet sailing time in the vicinity of the harbour area, pass by mega yachts at anchor, and take in spectacular panoramic views of the sunset and your surroundings.

Complimentary Refreshments and Snacks

Complimentary champagne, beer, soft drinks, mineral water, and assorted snacks are served during the cruise. At the conclusion of your scenic and relaxing sail, return to the pier, disembark the catamaran and commence the short walk back to the ship.

JOST VAN DYKE (British Virgin Islands)

SAN JUAN

ST GEORGE'S

ST. JOHN'S

An Introduction to Silversea Cruises

The romance of the seas, small ship sizes and intimate atmosphere, Silversea has long been a leader in the ultra-luxury market. Travelling to both iconic and secluded ports, Silversea’s award-winning itineraries inspire wanderlust and exploration. With over 900 destinations, longer port stays and more late-night departures than ever before, even the savviest traveler will find something new. A butler for every suite, a complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences, all-inclusive exquisite dining, award-winning onboard entertainment and an unparalleled space to guest ratio all contribute to the Silversea experience. Not forgetting our famed Italian hospitality, where new faces become old friends. Bienvenuti a bordo.